Refrigerator cabinet construction



y 1951 o. E. NORBERG arm.

REFRIGERATOR CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 30, 1948 INVENTOR.

R R 0 NON .N. EAW N W m d Y B ATTV.

Patented July 24, 1951 REFRIGERATOR CABINET CONSTRUCTION Oscar E. Norberg, Cincinnati, and John W. Norrish, Lockland, Ohio, assignors to Avco Manufacturing Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application November 30, 1948, Serial No. 62,632

3 Claims. (Cl. 312-214) This invention relates to refrigerators and is particularly concerned with cabinets for refrigerators of the household type. The invention will be described in connection with an electric refrigerator of the compression-expansion type but is not limited thereto.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and useful shelf and mountin therefor adapted for use on a refrigerator door. In this respect the invention is an improvement over that described in the patents to West Re. 19,008 dated November 21, 1933, Money et al. 2,412,904 dated December 14, 1946 and Money et al., 2,434,117 dated January 6, 1948.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a shelf structure which may be quickly and economicall mounted on a refrigerator door without the use of screws, and one in which the fastening means cooperates with the inner face of the inner door liner to retain the shelf on the door.

The novel features which we consider characteristic of our invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of accomplishment, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet embodying an improved door shelf constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1 when the door is closed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the door along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of one end of a shelf illustrating the shelf end and fastener in as-' sembled relationship;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fastener adapted for use in mounting the shelf to a refrigerator door;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the fastener shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a fastener and stud in assembled relationship;

Fig. 8 is a front (partially in section) view of the embodiment shown in Fig. '7 illustrating a fastener and shelf stud in assembled relationship.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a refrigerator cabinet III which comprises an outer shell l2 and an inner liner 14, both of which are constructed of one piece and are preferably made of porcelain covered metal. Between the members l2 and I4 there is provided the usual insulation, which may consist of rock wool or other fibrous silicate. There is provided an evaporator 15 having a door l8 for cooling the interior of the box. A refrigerator mechanism, not illustrated, may be disposed in the lower portion of the box below the food storage compartment. A door 20 provides access to the interior of the refrigerator.

The door 20 is preferably recessed as at 22 after the fashion of the door described in the West reissue and Money and Craig patents referred to, and is provided with insulation between the inner surface of the recess and the outer shell of the door.

Other features shown in Figs. 1 and 2 include a breaker strip 24 extending entirely about the front of the cabinet and joining shell l2 with inner liner l4, door shelves 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34, and door gasket 36. The door of the refrigerator is adapted to completely overlie the front margin of the cabinet formed by the breaker strip 24 with the door gasket 36 seated upon the exterior frame extension 38 of the outer shell when the door is closed. The door liner 40 forming the interior panel or face of the door is of heat insulating material, preferably a plastic composition of the synthetic resin type. It may be secured to the outer shell by means of a series of screws disposed circumferentially about the door and preferably disposed beneath the door gasket.

As shown in Fig. 2, the door shelves 26, 28, an, 32 and 34 each constitute a vertical rail 42 and a horizontal base 44. The shelves are preferably formed of a one-piece integral construction for purposes of strength. That is, the base 44 and vertical rail 42 are all formed integrally. The shelves shown are one-piece molded shelves and preferably are formed of a plastic composition of the synthetic resin type. The shelves may be formed of a metallic composition of the synthetic resin type. The shelves may be formed of a metallic stamping if this be desired. The vertical rail and base of each shelf are of relatively thin material, being approximately a": of an inch thick. At each end of the vertical rail there is provided an enlarged hollow boss 46, the open end of which faces the inner liner in assembled relationship. Each boss is adapted to carry a air of studs 48, each of which studs extends through an opening 50 in the inner liner. A

stud 52 may also be provided on one edge of the base 44 in order to support the forward edge of the base adjacent the inner liner. In the em- 3 bodiment shown. the base 44 is provided with both a depending flange 55, which contacts the inner liner 48 throughout its length. and with a stud 52 which projects from said flange 55 intermediate its length. Thus, the depending flange 55 serves to support the forward edge of the base 44 adjacent the inner liner 40 and the intermediate stud 52, although not essential in In Fig. 3, the vertical and horizontal spacing of the studs on the door shelf is illustrated. At

each end of the shelf a pair of vertically spaced studs 48 protrude through the door inner liner into the interior of the door. As will be seen in conjunction with Fig. 2, these vertically spaced studs at each end of the shelf cooperate with periphery of the stud when the retaining stop is the inner liner exterior of the recess in the liner to support the shelf at its ends. An additional stud 52 is positioned midway between the ends of the shelf and projects through an opening in the inner liner recess midway between the edges of the recess. As further illustrated in Fig- 3,

. the studs at each end of the shelf structure are vertically spaced from each other and are also vertically spaced above the stud 52. Stud 52, in .turn, is horizontally positioned *sforwardly of studs 48 and projects through the liner at the center of the recess. As stated, the shelf is molded of a thin plastic material which requires ample support at the juncture of the shelf and inner liner of the door. By positioning the studs at the ends in vertical alignment outside of the recess and at the edges thereof and a third stud centrally of the recess and horizontally forwardly of the end studs, a mounting has been provided which is amply strong to support the shelf on 1 the door.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a shelf boss and v stud illustrating the shelf boss in assembled relationship on the inner liner of the refrigerator door. As previously stated, the vertical rail 42 is provided at each end with an enlarged hollow boss 46. This hollow boss is adapted to receive studs 48 which are permanently secured within the hollow boss as by means of glue or-anysuitable solvent adapted to bind .the studs within the boss. Thus, before assembling the shelf the door by inserting the studs through appropriate openings in the inner liner of thedoor, the studs are first permanently secured within-the boss so as to effectively become an integral part of the shelf structure. The shelf itself therefore comprises a vertical rail and horizontal base of relatively thin material together with enlarged bosses all formed integrally of the same material to provide a strong structure. With the studs permanently fixed in the bosses, the shelf is mounted to the door as hereafter explained.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a suitable fastener or stop 54 is provided which is adapted to easily slide on the stud in one direction but to resist movement in the opposite direction. Thestop 54 comprises a base portion 56 having a diamond shaped opening 58 provided in the center thereof. A pair of horizontal slots 60 and 62 extend along opposite edges of opening 58 in order to provide flap portions 64 and 66 each having a V-shaped notch in the open end thereof. The base portion is preferably preformed into a curvature as shown to force the flap portions against the the inner surface of said liner and-'l h l said studs for retaining said shelf on;saidricorf-v mounted on the stud.

Figs. land 8 illustrate the stop mounted on the shelf stud. As shown, the stop is slid on the stud with the flap portions 84 and." facing outwardly toward. the open end of the stud. The stop isjpressedflrmly against the inner wall'of the door. linerwithin the door; until the-curved base. of the stop lies fiat against the door liner.

The V-groovesin the-stop thereupon grip the circumference-of-the stud firmly and are held in frictional-engagement with the stud by reason of the stresses'set. up within the stop when the base of'the fasteneris forced ,flat against the door. liner. 'w I By this invention; we'have provided novel I shelf structure for a refrigerator door which is strong .and economical of manufacture. Furthermore, the shelf'is particularly adapted to large scale production andmay be quickly and ecov nomically assembled without the use ofscre'ws as has heretofore been the practice in the indus try. In addition, the shelf in assembled relationship presentsastructure which is pleasing to. the eye in that no supporting means therefor is apparent when the refrigerator door is open, and-provides a unitary construction of unusual strength and durability when formed of a molded I plastic materiaL V g y v While this invention has been disclosed and described in-a single embodiment thereoLitwili I readily-be understood'that various chan e and modifications may be made therein without departing'from-thespirit and scope thereof as set I forth. in the appended claims.,. I

7 What is claimed is; 1 V

1. In a refrigerator door construction of the type having an outer shell and an inner liner.

includinga recess in said liner, a shelf disposed partially within said recess, said shelf including a vertical rail. and a horizontal base integrated into a unitary structure, a said base being formed with a depending flange contacting said-liner,

throughout .its length, a boss-at each end'of said rail; a stud projecting from each of said, bosses, openings in said inner liner for receiving;

said studs, and fastening means within: said doon' f the said bosses contacting the outer'surfac'eio inner liner, and said fastening means gcqn in rigid; assembled relationship.

2. In a refrigerator door construction'ofthe I type having an outer shell and an inner :liner including a recessin said liner,a shelfdisposed I partially within said recess, said shelf including! 7 a vertical rail and a horizontal base integrated into-a unitary structure, said base contacting I said liner throughout its length, aboss at each end of said rail, a stud projecting from each of said bosses, a stud projecting fromsaidbase. portion intermediate the ends thereof/openings in said inner liner forrec'eivingsaid studs, and fastening means within said. door, "said f bosses contacting the outer surface of the inner-liner,"

and said fastening means contacting the inner, surface; ofsaid liner and engaging said studs-for retaining said shelf on said door inrigid sembled relationship. r

3. A refrigerator door construction-comprising an outer -she1l and f an inner liner, a concave recess in saidliner bounded by laterally extending margins which lie exterio'rly of said recess, an integral assembly disposed at least partially within'the recess, said assembly comprising a flat shelf portion formed with an integral depending convex flange conforming to said liner and an integral vertical rail portion having a boss at each end thereof, a stud secured to said depending flange intermediate the ends thereof, a stud secured in each of said bosses adjacent said margins, said intermediate stud being disposed in a lower horizontal plane than said second studs, openings in said liner in registry with said studs, said assembly being disposed as a unit adjacent said liner on one side thereof with said studs extending through said openings, and fastening members contacting the inner surface of said liner and engaging said studs for retaining said shelf on said door in rigid assembled relationship.

OSCAR E. NORBERG. JOHN W. NORRISH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Money Jan. 6, 1948 

